Holding means for attaching a bar structure for holding a tray to a cooking compartment of a cooking appliance and cooking appliance

Abstract

A holding means (1) for attaching a bar structure (10) for holding a tray (tr) to a cooking compartment (CD) of a cooking appliance (CA), comprises a plug (2) having a knob (2a) which forms a first axial end of the plug (2) and an armature plate (2c) which forms a second axial end of the plug (2) opposite the first axial end and a sealing plate (2e) which is located axially between the knob (2a) and the armature plate (2c), the plug (2) further comprising a lens-shaped pole (2d) which connects the sealing plate (2e) with the armature plate (2c) and a resting region (RS) extending between the sealing plate (2e) and the knob (2a) having a curved surface turning around the axial direction for resting a bar of the bar structure (10) on; a sealing part (3) which is arranged at the plug (2) having a through hole (3b) in its central region and a front surface (3a) and a flat-part (3d), wherein the flat-part (3d) is leaned to the sealing plate (2e) and the lens-shaped pole (2d) extends through the through hole (3b) and the front surface (3a) is located on the opposite side to the flat-part (3d) facing towards the armature plate (2c), wherein the lens-shaped pole (2d) can be rotated in the through hole (3b) around the axial direction between a first position and a second position relative to the sealing part (3) when the sealing part (3) is placed in a manner blocked against axial rotation into an opening (OA) of the cooking compartment (CD), and wherein when the lens-shaped pole (2d) is in the first position the armature plate (2c) at least partly overlaps with the front surface (3a) and the plug (2) can be pushed with the armature plate (2c) in axial direction through the opening (OA) of the cooking compartment (CD) and when the lens-shaped pole (2d) is in the second position the armature plate (2c) is rotated relative to the opening (OA) of the cooking compartment (CD) and to the front surface (3a) and can thereby lock the armature plate (2c) against a margin (IM) of the opening (OA) of the cooking compartment (CD) and block the plug (2) from pulling in back through the opening (OA) of the cooking compartment (CD).

Description

[0001] Holding means for attaching a bar structure for holding a tray to a cooking compartment of a cooking appliance and cooking appliance

[0002] FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0003] The present invention relates to holding means for attaching a bar structure for holding a tray to a cooking compartment of a cooking appliance and to a cooking appliance.

[0004] BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0005] For placing a tray in the cooking compartment a holding structure is needed to hold and / or guide the tray in or to a predefined position in the cooking compartment of a cooking appliance. In household appliances there is a need for functional and easy fixation possibilities of the holding bar structures for a tray inside the cooking compartment. The holding bars must be fixed to the inner sidewalls of the cooking compartment thereby keeping the openings for attaching the holding bars well sealed against heat and steam (if the cooking appliance provides a steam function). For known solutions of holding structures it is desired to find an improvement for the way of fixation under provision of a high sealing level at the openings in the interior side walls of the cooking compartment.

[0006] In typical solutions the bar structure is fixed to the sidewalls of the cooking compartment by screws and nuts.

[0007] Document EP 3372054 A1 describes a fixing device for use in a cooking appliance with microwave heating function, comprising a chamber and side wire racks which are disposed onto the opposing side walls of the chamber. The fixing device of the present invention comprises a heat resistant and electrically insulating retaining member for keeping the respective side wire rack at a discharge safe distance from the side wall; a groove which is formed into the retaining member and adapted to fit to the side wire rack; a metallic fastener for fastening the retaining member to the respective hole on the side wall without contacting the respective side wire rack and a bore which is formed into the retaining member and adapted to receive and insulate the fastener against discharge.

[0008] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0009] It is an object of the invention to improve and simplify the fixation of holding means at an inner sidewall of a cooking compartment thereby providing good sealing properties against heat and / or steam transfer through an opening in said sidewall.

[0010] The object is solved by the subject-matter of the independent claims.

[0011] The present invention pertains a holding means for attaching a bar structure for holding a tray to a cooking compartment of a cooking appliance according to claim 1 and to a cooking appliance according to claim 15.

[0012] Preferred embodiments are subject of the dependent claims.

[0013] According to the invention the holding means for attaching a bar structure for holding a tray to a cooking compartment of a cooking appliance comprises a plug having a knob which forms a first axial end of the plug and an armature plate which forms a second axial end of the plug opposite the first axial end and a sealing plate which is located axially between the knob and the armature plate, the plug further comprising a lens-shaped pole which connects the sealing plate with the armature plate and a resting region extending between the sealing plate and the knob having a curved surface turning around the axial direction for resting a bar of the bar structure on. Further, the holding means comprises a sealing part which is arranged at the plug having a through hole in its central region and a front surface and a flat-part, wherein the flat-part is leaned to the sealing plate and the lens-shaped pole extends through the through hole and the front surface is located on the opposite side to the flat-part facing towards the armature plate, wherein the lens-shaped pole can be rotated in the through hole around the axial direction between a first position and a second position relative to the sealing part when the sealing part is placed in a manner blocked against axial rotation into an opening of the cooking compartment, and wherein when the lens-shaped pole is in the first position the armature plate at least partly overlaps with the front surface and the plug can be pushed with the armature plate in axial direction through the opening of the cooking compartment and when the lens-shaped pole is in the second position the armature plate is rotated relative to the opening of the cooking compartment and to the front surface and can thereby lock the armature plate against (relative) a margin of the opening of the cooking compartment and block the plug from pulling in back through the opening of the cooking compartment.

[0014] The second position can be rotated from the first position by 90 degrees or less or more.

[0015] The holding means, in particular the plug, can be quickly installed and removed from the sidewall and there can be several of them for holding the bar structure. A releasing of a screw-nut connection can thereby be avoided and the plug mounted to the sidewall only from the interior side without the need to fix a screw or nut from the exterior of the sidewall. By the front surfaces which fit the opening the plug can be centered and aligned at its mounting position when pushed into the opening. When in locked second position the plug is blocked against pulling it out in axial direction (towards the interior of the cooking compartment). Because by the shape of the opening also a motion towards all other directions can be blocked.

[0016] The axial direction can extend along a symmetry axis of the plug or at least between the knob and the armature plate along the axis of rotation. The flat-part of the sealing part can be pressed to the sealing plate and allow a rotation of the sealing plate (rigid with the rest of the plug) when the sealing part is blocked in the opening against rotation. Due to its shape the sealing part can be placed at least with some of its parts in a manner blocked against axial rotation into an opening of the cooking compartment.

[0017] According to a further embodiment of the holding means the plug is made integrally from metal or other rigid and heat / steam resistive material, for example plastic. The plug can be rotated as rigid body with all its components.

[0018] According to a further embodiment of the holding means the knob and the sealing plate have a radius or extend perpendicular to the axial direction) bigger than a radius of the resting region. Thereby, the surface for placing the sealing part on can be enlarged.

[0019] According to a further embodiment of the holding means the through hole is a rectangular opening when seen in axial direction or an edge shape of the through hole corresponds with an edge shape of the armature plate.

[0020] According to a further embodiment of the holding means the sealing part extends such between the armature plate and the sealing plate that it touches both the armature plate and the sealing plate. Thereby, the sealing properties can be improved.

[0021] According to a further embodiment of the holding means the sealing part has an outer surface which shape corresponds to a shape of the opening of the cooking compartment.

[0022] According to a further embodiment of the holding means the outer surface increases in width (projection on plane perpendicular on axial direction) from the front surface to the flat-part relative to the through hole. The outer surface can have a curved width and correspond at least in regions to the shape of the opening (its inner walls) in order to seal the opening once pushed inside it. At least some of the parts of the outer surface can increase towards the flat-part. According to a further embodiment of the holding means the lens-shaped pole has a lensshaped symmetry regarding to a cross-cut in axial direction of the lens-shaped pole.

[0023] The lens-shaped symmetry can be constant between the armature plate and the flat-part along the axial direction. Thereby, the way of manufacturing the plug is simplified. According to a further embodiment of the holding means in the second position the armature plate overlaps with the margin when seen in axial direction. In this position the armature plate cannot be pulled again out through the through hole since it would hit the margin.

[0024] According to a further embodiment of the holding means the sealing part further comprises at least one sealing ring or several concentric sealing rings which is / are embodied as a protrusion each from an outer surface of the sealing part extending towards the front surface.

[0025] According to a further embodiment of the holding means the through hole extends through the front surface such that it divides the front surface into two parts and the armature plate overlaps with these two parts when in the first position and has no overlap with the two parts when in the second position.

[0026] According to a further embodiment of the holding means the front surface with the armature plate entirely fills the opening of the cooking compartment when seen in axial direction and when the sealing part is placed into the opening.

[0027] According to a further embodiment of the holding means the lens-shape of the lensshaped pole has two rectangular tip regions with at least one flat leaning area next to each tip region, wherein the flat leaning area can be leaned to an inner wall of the opening of the cooking compartment when the lens-shaped pole is rotated to the second position thereby stopping the rotation at the second position in a first direction (for example clockwise when seen along the lens-shaped pole) of rotation, wherein the first direction of rotation rotates the lens-shaped pole from the first position to the second position thereby deforming the sealing part with pushing the tip regions into it.

[0028] According to a further embodiment of the holding means the sealing part has a circular plate as the flat-part and an outer surface of the sealing part deviates from the circular plate towards a direction to the front surface only at an upper region and at a lower region of the circular plate which are located in planar view on the circular plate above and below an upper and lower side face of a rectangular shape of the through hole in the central region of the circular plate such that the lens-shaped pole can in the second position touch inner walls of the opening in a lateral direction when the sealing part is placed in the opening.

[0029] According to the invention the cooking appliance comprises a cooking compartment; at least one holding means according to the invention, which is placed in and locked to an opening in a lateral sidewall of the cooking compartment and inside the cooking compartment; and a bar structure for holding a tray in the cooking compartment further comprising a front vertical bar and a rear vertical bar which are arranged parallel to each other and wherein the rear vertical bar is spaced apart from the front vertical bar by a predefined horizontal distance with a at least one pair of horizontal guide bars for guiding the tray between them and along a horizontal direction, wherein the horizontal guide bars are fixedly connected to the front vertical bar and to the rear vertical bar; wherein the front vertical bar and / or the rear vertical bar comprises an upper bent end region at its upper end which is bent from the vertical direction under 90 degrees and wherein the upper bent end region is placed on a top side of the resting region of the knob such that the bar structure hangs on the resting region.

[0030] The horizontal guide bars can represent an upper and a lower guide bar for the tray at a predefined distance between each other.

[0031] The tray can be a food tray or any other type of trays for a cooking appliance. The vertical bars and support bars can have mainly a cylindrical shape with predefined radiuses. The vertical and horizontal direction can be defined according to the interior of the compartment of a cooking appliance when mounted or positioned for use.

[0032] The upper bent end region with its part which is angled relative to the vertical part of the front vertical bar can be hanged to the upper side of the first upper holding means. Similar, the upper bent end region (angled part deviating from the vertical section of the rear vertical bar) can be hanged to the upper side of the second upper holding means.

[0033] Thereby, the whole bar structure of the holding device at that particular sidewall can be hanged to the two upper holding means holding its entire weight.

[0034] By using a screw member at other ends of the bar structure the bar structure can in the hanging position (which can be recognized as the mounting position) be rigidly fixed to the lateral sidewall of the cooking compartment and also be released from it when releasing the screw member again (if needed).

[0035] The mentioned holding device allows a fixation of the bar structure to the sidewall, for example by pushing the particular bent end regions to the corresponding holding means and by fixing one screw member at another end of the bar structure in a simple and quick way. The connection can be easily released again and seals the openings at the fixation positions against heat and steam transfer.

[0036] The bar structure can have all its components twice, in particular one arrangement at one lateral sidewall of the compartment and another arrangement at the opposite lateral sidewall of the compartment, having the upper support bars respectively at same heights and the lower support bars respectively at same heights (vertical) for receiving the tray in a particular horizontal plane (between the upper and lower horizontal plane or at the lower horizontal plane). The vertical support bars (front and rear ones) are mounted to the lateral sidewalls inside the compartment. The cooking appliance can be also a classical or combined oven, a built-in or standalone oven, for example with steam function.

[0037] Due to the holding means an improved and simplified connection between the sidewalls of the cooking compartment and the bar structure is provided. Further, the serviceability of the cooking appliance and its repairability (for example of the bar structure) is improved and simplified. By means of the mentioned invention a standard nut is not needed to ensure a fixation of the holding means and the plug just needs rotation to lock the armature plate and prevent the extraction. Further, the sealing part can be pushed / injected into the opening and by locking the plug the sealing part can be pressed such into the opening that the material of the sealing part is better adapted to the shape of the opening and the sealing is improved.

[0038] BRIEF DESORPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0039] The invention will be explained in greater detail with reference to exemplary embodiments depicted in the drawings as appended.

[0040] The accompanying drawings are included to provide a further understanding of the present invention and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification. The drawings illustrate a comparative embodiment and embodiments of the present invention and together with the description serve to explain the principles of the invention. Other embodiments of the present invention and many of the intended advantages of the present invention will be readily appreciated as they become better understood by reference to the following detailed description. The elements of the drawings are not necessarily to scale relative to each other. Like reference numerals designate corresponding similar parts. Fig. 1 shows a cooking appliance with a holding means for a tray according to an embodiment of the invention.

[0041] Fig. 2 shows a view of a bar structure with a holding means at a sidewall of a cooking compartment according to an embodiment of the invention.

[0042] Fig. 3 shows a part of the bar structure to be attached to the holding means.

[0043] Fig. 4a shows a sealing part for a holding means according to an embodiment of the invention.

[0044] Fig. 4b shows the sealing part from a rear side which is intended to be placed at a sealing plate of the plug.

[0045] Fig. 5a shows the holding means and a bar structure hanged on according to an embodiment of the invention.

[0046] Fig. 5b shows a plug without the sealing part.

[0047] Fig. 5c shows the plug in a cross-cut through the lens-shaped pole according to an embodiment of the invention.

[0048] Fig. 6a shows the holding means in an opening in the sidewall of the cooking compartment in an unlocked state according to an embodiment of the invention.

[0049] Fig. 6b shows the holding means in an opening in the sidewall of the cooking compartment in a locked state according to an embodiment of the invention.

[0050] Fig. 6c shows the holding means in an opening in the sidewall of the cooking compartment in a first position of the lens-shaped pole and in an unlocked state according to an embodiment of the invention, wherein a cross cut through the lens-shaped pole at height of the front surface of the sealing part is shown.

[0051] Fig. 6d shows the holding means in an opening in the sidewall of the cooking compartment in a second position of the lens-shaped pole and in a locked state according to an embodiment of the invention, wherein a cross cut through the lens-shaped pole at height of the front surface of the sealing part is shown.

[0052] Fig. 7 shows a longitudinal-cut through the holding means according to an embodiment of the invention when attached to the opening in the sidewall of the cooking compartment.

[0053] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0054] Although specific embodiments have been illustrated and described herein, it will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art that a variety of alternate and / or equivalent implementations may be substituted for the specific embodiments shown and described without departing from the scope of the present invention. Generally, this application is intended to cover any adaptations or variations of the specific embodiments discussed herein.

[0055] Fig. 1 shows a cooking appliance with a holding means for a tray according to an embodiment of the invention.

[0056] The cooking appliance CA comprises a cooking compartment CD which is shown from a perspective front side but the front door of the cooking appliance CA is not shown. A bar structure 10 can be arranged at lateral sidewalls SW of the cooking compartment CD and inside the cooking compartment CD. The lateral sides of the cooking compartment CD regard the right and left sidewalls SW when seen from front view from the opening of the cooking compartment CD. The cooking appliance CA can, for example, be a built-in oven or a standalone oven.

[0057] The bar structure 10 for holding a tray tr is shown with the front vertical bar V1 and several pairs of horizontal guide bars P1 and P2 for guiding the tray tr between them and along a horizontal direction, wherein the horizontal guide bars PI, P2 are fixedly connected to the front vertical bar V1 (and to the rear vertical bar V2, not shown).

[0058] Further, the upper bent end region UBE1 at the upper end of the front vertical bar V1 is shown at a position arranged at the first upper holding means 1, where the upper bent end region UBE1 of the front vertical bar V1 is rested on.

[0059] The first upper holding means 1 (and the second upper holding means 1) can be fixedly attached to an interior side wall SW of the cooking compartment CD and also protrude through the sidewall SW. This can be seen at the right sidewall SW where it is shown that the first and second upper holding means 1 stretch through the sidewall SW (also through the left sidewall, not shown).

[0060] Similar, it is shown how the screw member SM is attached to a lower end of the front vertical bar V1 and to the inner sidewall SW.

[0061] Fig. 2 shows a view of a bar structure with a holding means at a sidewall of a cooking compartment according to an embodiment of the invention.

[0062] In Fig. 2 a view to a lateral sidewall SW of the cooking compartment is shown to which the bar structure 10 is fixed. On the upper sides two holding means 1 according to the invention are attached to the sidewall SW at such distance that the bar structure with the front vertical bar V1 and the rear vertical bar V2 (with their distance d-h) can be hanged on. In Fig. 2 a configuration is shown, where two holding means 1 according to an embodiment of the invention are placed. The front vertical bar V1 and the rear vertical bar V2 are arranged parallel to each other and wherein the rear vertical bar V2 is spaced apart from the front vertical bar V1 by a predefined horizontal distance d-h with a at least one pair of horizontal guide bars PI, P2 for guiding the tray between them and along a horizontal direction, wherein the horizontal guide bars PI , P2 are fixedly connected to the front vertical bar V1 and to the rear vertical bar V2; wherein the front vertical bar V1 and / or the rear vertical bar V2 comprises an upper bent end region UBE1, UBE2 at its upper end which is bent from the vertical direction under 90 degrees and wherein the upper bent end region UBE1, UBE2 is placed on a top side of the resting region of the plug such that the bar structure 10 hangs on the resting region of the plug. At the lower end of the front vertical bar V1 a screw member SM can be used to fix the bar structure to the sidewall SW and at the lower end of the rear vertical bar V2 a lower bent part LBE2 can be bent by 90 degrees and hooked under a knob mounted in the sidewall, for example also a holding means 1 according to the invention.

[0063] Fig. 3 shows a part of the bar structure to be attached to the holding means.

[0064] The front vertical bar V1 of the bar structure 10 is shown with a pair of horizontal guide bars PI , P2 above which the front vertical bar V1 is bent to the horizontal plane in a curved manner under 90 degrees and thereby forms an upper bent end region UBE1.

[0065] Fig. 4a shows a sealing part for a holding means according to an embodiment of the invention.

[0066] The sealing part 3 can be formed from an elastic material which can withstand the temperatures arising in the cooking compartment.

[0067] The sealing part 3 can have a round shape when seen in axial direction and a through hole 3b (for example rectangular) in its central region and a front surface 3a, for example divided in two parts by the through hole 3b and the region above it, and a flat-part 3d (backside), wherein the flat-part 3d can be leaned (not shown) to the sealing plate and the front surface 3a is located on the opposite side to the flat-part 3d.

[0068] Further, the sealing part 3 has an outer surface OS which shape can at least in regions correspond to a shape of the opening OA of the cooking compartment. The outer surface OS increases in width from the front surface 3a to the flat-part 3d relative to the through hole 3b. The sealing part 3 can further comprise at least one sealing ring 3c or (as shown in Fig. 4a) several concentric sealing rings 3c which is / are embodied as a protrusion each from an outer surface OS of the sealing part 3 extending towards the front surface 3a, for example forming an radial edge at the circular plate CP, wherein both rings can be distanced by a particular distance. By the rings 3c the sealing can be improved since these rings 3c can be pressed to the surface of the sidewall of the cooking compartment (not shown).

[0069] The sealing part 3 can have a circular plate CP as the flat-part 3d and an outer surface OS of the sealing part 3 deviates from the circular plate CP towards a direction to the front surface 3a only at an upper region R1 and at a lower region R2 of the circular plate CP which are located in planar view (in axial direction) on the circular plate CP above and below an upper and lower side face sf of a rectangular shape of the through hole 3b in the central region of the circular plate CP. Here, the lens-shaped pole can in the second position touch inner walls of the opening in a lateral direction when the sealing part 3 is placed in the opening.

[0070] At the internal end of the upper region R1 facing towards the lower region R2 the outer surface OS can form a flat and vertical surface extending between the central plate CP and the corresponding front surface 3a and vice versa for the internal end of the lower region R2 facing towards the upper region R1. To these two vertical surfaces a flat leaning area ( surface part) of the lens-shaped pole (not shown) can be leaned to in the first and / or second position. Fig. 4b shows the sealing part from a rear side which is intended to be placed at a sealing plate of the plug.

[0071] In Fig. 4b the rear side of the sealing part 3 is shown, with the central plate CP as circular and flat plate forming the flat-part 3d with a rectangular, for example quadratic, through hole 3b in the central region of the flat-part 3d.

[0072] Fig. 5a shows the holding means and a bar structure hanged on according to an embodiment of the invention.

[0073] The holding means 1 is shown as the plug 2 with the sealing part 3 arranged on it. In particular, the plug 2 has a knob 2a which forms a first axial end of the plug 2 and an armature plate 2c which forms a second axial end of the plug 2 opposite the first axial end and a sealing plate 2e which is located axially between the knob 2a and the armature plate 2c, the plug 2 further comprising a lens-shaped pole 2d which connects the sealing plate 2e with the armature plate 2c.

[0074] Further, the plug 2 has a resting region extending between the sealing plate 2e and the knob 2a having a curved surface turning around the axial direction for resting a bar of the bar structure, in particular the upper bent part UBE1 of the front vertical bar V1.

[0075] The sealing part 3 is arranged at the plug 2 having a through hole in its central region (not shown) and a front surface 3a and a flat-part (not shown), wherein the flat-part is leaned to the sealing plate 2e and the lens-shaped pole 2d extends through the through hole (not shown) and the front surface 3a is located on the opposite side to the flat-part facing towards the armature plate 2c.

[0076] Further, as shown in Fig. 5a the sealing part 3 can extend such between the armature plate 2c and the sealing plate 2e that it touches both the armature plate 2c and the sealing plate 2e an the sealing part 3 can have an outer surface OS which shape corresponds to a shape of the opening of the cooking compartment (shown in Fig. 6a). The outer surface OS can increase in width from the front surface 3a to the flat-part relative to the through hole and the sealing part 3 can further comprise several concentric sealing rings 3c, for example two, which are embodied as a protrusion each from an outer surface OS of the sealing part 3 extending towards the front surface 3a (in this axial direction) and for example form an outer radial edge of the central plate CP. Both sealing rings 3c can be spaced apart from each other by a predefined distance. The sealing rings 3c can be pushed to the inner wall of the cooking compartment (not shown) thereby improving the sealing effect against heat and steam around the opening for entering the plug 2.

[0077] The through hole can extends through the front surface 3a such that it divides the front surface 3a into two parts and the armature plate 2c can overlap with these two parts when in the first position (shown in Fig. 6a) and has no overlap with the two parts when in the second position (shown in Fig. 5a, 6b).

[0078] Fig. 5b shows a plug without the sealing part.

[0079] In Fig. 5b it is shown that the plug 2 with its components can be formed as an integral part, having a knob 2a, an armature plate 2c and a sealing plate 2e which is located axially between the knob 2a and the armature plate 2c and the plug 2 further comprising a lensshaped pole 2d which connects the sealing plate 2e with the armature plate 2c.

[0080] Fig. 5c shows the plug in a cross-cut through the lens-shaped pole according to an embodiment of the invention.

[0081] The lens-shaped pole 2d can have two rectangular tip regions 2d-t with at least one flat leaning area LA next to each tip region 2d-t. In the embodiment according to Fig. 5c there are two leaning areas LA next to each tip regions 2d-t such that one leaning area LA extend from the tip region 2d-t towards one direction and the other leaning area LA from the same tip region 2d-t towards another direction. A curved part connects two leaning areas LA between two tip regions 2d-t. The lens-shaped pole 2d can have a constant shape along the axial direction, for example until it ends at the sealing plate 2e.

[0082] Fig. 6a shows the holding means in an opening in the sidewall of the cooking compartment in an unlocked state according to an embodiment of the invention.

[0083] The sealing part can be placed in a manner blocked against axial rotation into an opening OA of the cooking compartment (shown in Fig. 6a from the exterior side of the sidewall SW of the cooking compartment), and wherein in Fig. 6a when the lens-shaped pole is in the first position (not shown) the armature plate 2c at least partly overlaps with the front surface 3a and the plug 2 can be pushed (into) with the armature plate 2c in axial direction through the opening OA of the cooking compartment. The front part 3a can be pushed into the opening OA such to seal the opening at least partly along the inner wall of the inner margin IM which forms the wall of the opening OA.

[0084] Fig. 6b shows the holding means in an opening in the sidewall of the cooking compartment in a locked state according to an embodiment of the invention.

[0085] Fig. 6b shows a similar configuration as Fig. 6a with the difference that the lens-shaped pole 2d is in the second position and therefore the armature plate 2c is rotated relative to the opening OA of the cooking compartment and to the front surface 3a and can thereby lock the armature plate 2c against a margin of the inner wall IW of the opening OA of the cooking compartment and block the plug from pulling it in back through the opening OA of the cooking compartment.

[0086] Fig. 6c shows the holding means in an opening in the sidewall of the cooking compartment in a first position of the lens-shaped pole and in an unlocked state according to an embodiment of the invention, wherein a cross cut through the lens-shaped pole at height of the front surface of the sealing part is shown. Fig. 6d shows the holding means in an opening in the sidewall of the cooking compartment in a second position of the lens-shaped pole and in a locked state according to an embodiment of the invention, wherein a cross cut through the lens-shaped pole at height of the front surface of the sealing part is shown

[0087] The front parts 3a are divided in an upper region and lower region and above the through hole there is an opening in the front part 3a (seen in axial direction), wherein the lensshaped pole 2d extends in this region such that the tip regions 2d-t are in the first position of the lens-shaped pole 2d located in the projection of the corners of the through hole. Here, the flat leaning area LA can be leaned to an inner wall IW of the opening OA of the cooking compartment

[0088] The flat leaning areas LA can in this position lean towards the limitation which is represented by the shaped cutout which is provided by the inner walls IW of the opening from lateral direction and by the upper region and lower region of the front parts 3a in vertical direction (as shown) and their rotation can thus be limited by the shape of this cutout.

[0089] In the position as shown in Fig. 6c the rotation to counter clockwise is locked since the tip regions 2d-t and the flat leaning areas LA which lean at the inner wall IW cannot rotate further against the inner wall IW. In clockwise direction the pole 2d can be rotated for 90 degrees and reach the position as shown in Fig. 6d such that the tip region 2d-t and the flat leaning areas LA which face the front parts 3a can push to the flexible material of the front parts 3a and deform it such that the tip regions 2d-t can move to the second position as shown in Fig. 6d (because the length from one tip region 2d-t to the other tip region 2d-t can be greater than the opening between the front parts 3a in which the lensshaped pole 2d can rotate) which corresponds to the locked state of the holding means as shown in Fig. 6b. At the second position the flat leaning areas LA can block the rotation further in clockwise direction since they push to the inner walls IW. Fig. 7 shows a longitudinal-cut through the holding means according to an embodiment of the invention when attached to the opening in the sidewall of the cooking compartment.

[0090] As shown in Fig. 7 the sealing part 3 has an outer surface OS which can correspond to the shape of the inner margin IM of the opening OA and be pushed to the latter in order to seal the plug 2 into. Therefore, the plug 2 faces with its knob 2a towards the interior of the cooking compartment and forms a first axial end of the plug 2 and the armature plate 2c forms a second axial end of the plug 2 opposite the first axial end. The lens-shaped pole 2d which connects the sealing plate with the armature plate 2c can extend through a through hole 3b in the sealing part 3 and the knob 2a can have a resting region RS extending between the sealing plate and the knob 2a having a curved surface turning around the axial direction for resting a bar of the bar structure on, for example the upper bent end region UBE1 of the front vertical bar V1.

[0091] The sealing part 3 is arranged at the plug 2 having the through hole 3b in its central region and a front surface 3a.

[0092] The concentric sealing rings 3c which can be embodied as a protrusion each from an outer surface OS of the sealing part 3 can extend towards the front surface 3a and be pressed with the sealing part 3 against the sidewall SW of the cooking compartment, in particular from the interior side and around the opening OA.

[0093] In the foregoing detailed description, various features are grouped together in one or more examples or examples with the purpose of streamlining the disclosure. It is to be understood that the above description is intended to be illustrative, and not restrictive. It is intended to cover all alternatives, modifications and equivalents.

Claims

CLAIMS1. Holding means (1) for attaching a bar structure (10) for holding a tray (tr) to a cooking compartment (CD) of a cooking appliance (CA), comprising:- a plug (2) having a knob (2a) which forms a first axial end of the plug (2) and an armature plate (2c) which forms a second axial end of the plug (2) opposite the first axial end and a sealing plate (2e) which is located axially between the knob (2a) and the armature plate (2c), the plug (2) further comprising a lens-shaped pole (2d) which connects the sealing plate (2e) with the armature plate (2c) and a resting region (RS) extending between the sealing plate (2e) and the knob (2a) having a curved surface turning around the axial direction for resting a bar of the bar structure (10) on;- a sealing part (3) which is arranged at the plug (2) having a through hole (3b) in its central region and a front surface (3a) and a flat-part (3d), wherein the flat-part (3d) is leaned to the sealing plate (2e) and the lens-shaped pole (2d) extends through the through hole (3b) and the front surface (3a) is located on the opposite side to the flat-part (3d) facing towards the armature plate (2c), wherein the lens-shaped pole (2d) can be rotated in the through hole (3b) around the axial direction between a first position and a second position relative to the sealing part (3) when the sealing part (3) is placed in a manner blocked against axial rotation into an opening (OA) of the cooking compartment (CD), and wherein when the lens-shaped pole (2d) is in the first position the armature plate (2c) at least partly overlaps with the front surface (3a) and the plug (2) can be pushed with the armature plate (2c) in axial direction through the opening (OA) of the cooking compartment (CD) and when the lensshaped pole (2d) is in the second position the armature plate (2c) is rotated relative to the opening (OA) of the cooking compartment (CD) and to the front surface (3a) and can thereby lock the armature plate (2c) against a margin (IM) of the opening (OA) of the cooking compartment (CD) and block the plug (2) from pulling in back through the opening (OA) of the cooking compartment (CD).

2. Holding means (1) according to claim 1, wherein the plug (2) is made integrally from metal or plastic.

3. Holding means (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the knob (2a) and the sealing plate (2e) have a radius bigger than a radius of the resting region (RS).

4. Holding means (1) according to any of claims 1 to 3, wherein the through hole (3b) is a rectangular opening when seen in axial direction or an edge shape of the through hole (3b) corresponds with an edge shape of the armature plate (2c).

5. Holding means (1) according to any of claims 1 to 4, wherein the sealing part (3) extends such between the armature plate (2c) and the sealing plate (2e) that it touches both the armature plate (2c) and the sealing plate (2e).

6. Holding means (1) according to any of claims 1 to 5, wherein the sealing part (3) has an outer surface (OS) which shape corresponds to a shape of the opening (OA) of the cooking compartment (CD).

7. Holding means (1) according to claim 6, wherein the outer surface (OS) increases in width from the front surface (3a) to the flat-part (3d) relative to the through hole (3b).

8. Holding means (1) according to any of claims 1 to 7, wherein the lens-shaped pole (2d) has a lens-shaped symmetry regarding to a cross-cut in axial direction of the lensshaped pole (2d).

9. Holding means (1) according to any of claims 1 to 8, wherein in the second position the armature plate (2c) overlaps with the margin (IM) when seen in axial direction.

10. Holding means (1) according to any of claims 1 to 9, wherein the sealing part (3) further comprises at least one sealing ring (3c) or several concentric sealing rings (3c)which is / are embodied as a protrusion each from an outer surface (OS) of the sealing part (3) extending towards the front surface (3a).1 1. Holding means (1) according to any of claims 1 to 10, wherein the through hole (3b) extends through the front surface (3a) such that it divides the front surface (3a) into two parts and the armature plate (2c) overlaps with these two parts when in the first position and has no overlap with the two parts when in the second position.

12. Holding means (1) according to any of claims 1 to 11, wherein the front surface (3a) with the armature plate (2c) entirely fills the opening (OA) of the cooking compartment (CD) when seen in axial direction and when the sealing part (3) is placed into the opening (OA).

13. Holding means (1) according to any of claims 1 to 12, wherein the lens-shape of the lens-shaped pole (2d) has two rectangular tip regions (2d-t) with at least one flat leaning area (LA) next to each tip region (2d-t), wherein the flat leaning area (LA) can be leaned to an inner wall (IW) of the opening (OA) of the cooking compartment (CD) when the lens-shaped pole (2d) is rotated to the second position thereby stopping the rotation at the second position in a first direction of rotation, wherein the first direction of rotation rotates the lens-shaped pole (2d) from the first position to the second position thereby deforming the sealing part (3) with the tip regions (2d-t).

14. Holding means (1) according to any of claims 1 to 13, wherein the sealing part (3) has a circular plate (CP) as the flat-part (3d) and an outer surface (OS) of the sealing part (3) deviates from the circular plate (CP) towards a direction to the front surface (3a) only at an upper region (R1) and at a lower region (R2) of the circular plate (CP) which are located in planar view on the circular plate (CP) above and below an upper and lower side face (sf) of a rectangular shape of the through hole (3b) in the central region of the circular plate (CP) such that the lens-shaped pole (2d) can in the second position touchinner walls (IW) of the opening (OA) in a lateral direction when the sealing part (3) is placed in the opening (OA).

15. Cooking appliance (CA) comprising:- a cooking compartment (CD);- at least one holding means (10) according to any of claims 1 to 14, which is placed in and locked to an opening (OA) in a lateral sidewall (SW) of the cooking compartment (CD) and inside the cooking compartment (CD); and- a bar structure (10) for holding a tray (tr) in the cooking compartment (CD) further comprising:- a front vertical bar (V1) and a rear vertical bar (V2) which are arranged parallel to each other and wherein the rear vertical bar (V2) is spaced apart from the front vertical bar (V1) by a predefined horizontal distance (d-h) with at least one pair of horizontal guide bars (PI, P2, ...) for guiding the tray (tr) between them and along a horizontal direction, wherein the horizontal guide bars (PI, P2, ...) are fixedly connected to the front vertical bar (V1) and to the rear vertical bar (V2); wherein the front vertical bar (V1) and / or the rear vertical bar (V2) comprises an upper bent end region (UBE1, UBE2) at its upper end which is bent from the vertical direction under 90 degrees and wherein the upper bent end region (UBE1, UBE2) is placed on a top side of the resting region (RS) of the knob (2a) such that the bar structure (10) hangs on the resting region (RS).

Images